DH recently purchased about 35 to 40 pounds of 100% acrylic yarn for me off of eBay. He knows how expensive yarns can get after going to the lys with me. He is addictive d to eBay . We are trying to cut back on spending and he thought he found a great deal on yarn for me on eBay.

I prefer blends and natural yarns myself but I have to find something to make with all of this yarn now. I don't want DH to think I didn't appreciated the thought.

I started using some of it to make my Einstein coat and noticed it is a bit stiff knitted up. I am hoping this will change once it is washed. And the dye that they used is coming off on my fingers as I knit

Has anyone used 100% Acrylic yarns before ? If so what do you make with it and will it still be this stiff after a washing?

I've looked for patterns calling for 100% Acrylic yarns .but I can't find any. This yarn doesn't drape at all , at least not while I am knitting it up it doesn't .

I know I should love the yarn I use, I know most knitters prefer blends and more natural yarns. I know knitters say don't waste your knitting time knitting with a yarn you don't love. But, and that's the problem here is 'But' I don't want to hurt my D(sweet)H'S heart, he was only trying to help and at the same time ease the pain to his wallet .

I don't care for acrylic to make garments. However, I think it's great for afghans because it tends to hold up well. You might also use it to make small blankets to donate to animal shelters. They need stuff that's machine washable.

I can tell you that in my experience, the stiffer acrylics (like the old fashioned Red Heart) do tend to soften up a bit when you wash them, especially if you use plenty of fabric softener.

I think you must have a wonderful husband. If I was you I would knit up a swatch with the different yarns and hand wash them to see how they behave colour wise. The acrylic I have used do soften up with washing and a gentle tumble dry. You can use them for baby/toddler blankets or lap blankets to use in front of the telly. A lot of people use acrylic for children's clothes for ease of care.

Does Nana of 6 mean you have 6 grandchildren maybe they all need a cardigan/sweater to run around the garden in.

Acrylic yarns are great for kids because they can be easily washed, they are great for charity items that you don't know how they will be washed or treated, toys, and they can make nice afghans if the are soft enough.

You can make anything with acrylic. That's almost all I use.
91 skeins?
You could crochet me 3 blankets, all single crochet. Or 4 if you want to go HDC. Seriously that's how much I would get out of that (I like yarn blankets for the weight so I know these things). Even at Walmart prices that's $180 for 4 blankets.
The price of yarn for my wool blanket would've been $350+ if I didn't get it on clearance.
How can anyone afford anything but acrylic?

It would help if you'd give the brand(s). Not all acrylics are created equal.
I have no problem with Simply Soft or Lion Jiffy for a sweater, definitely no problem with them for a cardigan.
I crochet afghans with Red Heart SS.
I do like clothing from wool until I figure up the price so I limit that to socks and hats although I do plan on splurging and making a wool sweater.

I don't think "most" knitters prefer naturals, or maybe they'd prefer it but I doubt most use it all the time. I recall my grandmother, aunt and mother only using Red Heart and that's almost all my sister uses. Other than cotton I don't think one of them has ever touched a natural fiber yarn.

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Petroleum based knitter, removing that nasty oil from the ground one skein at a time.

We get very little local wool that is not acrylic here in South Africa. There are some that are made of super acrylic that is slightly better, but if its giving off color thats maybe the reason it was sold on ebay. I thinks it fab of your DH to spoil you though and I think it would be fine to use for the grandchildren. You could always try a slightly bigger needle size if its very tight because that will make it much looser and soft. The idea with the swatch is a great idea. I like also making toys from acrylic because its so durable and it does not have to be washed that often. What about making teddy bears with it?

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